How to Host a Superior Oscar Party #1

Today’s Topic: Oscar Polls

Oscar polls are a staple of any upstanding Oscar party. However, the concept needs a bit of spicing up. Here are some suggestions for creating memorable Oscar polls.

1. Pick who you actually want to win.
I have spent many an Oscar night strategizing how to win the poll only to find myself rooting for movies that I didn’t actually enjoy. For a more enjoyable experience, have attendees fill out their ballots based on their personal preference (be honest!), not the odds on favorites. This way you can give out a Happiest Viewer Award (to the person who had the most choices actually win) and a Most Avant Garde Viewer Award (for the person who had the fewest winners on their list.

2. Switch up the prizes.
Traditional Oscar polls have each attendee put some money in a pot and the winner takes the spoils. Not only is this practice played out, but it reinforces how commercial the movie industry is. Instead have each person bring a white elephant gift, throw them in a bag and the winner takes home a whole bunch of odds and ends (gum, coupons, hair products, etc.) Or, create a treasure chest like they have at the dentist’s office. Fill it with little baubles and each time someone makes an accurate prediction have them take a trip to the treasure box. This will surely pass the time during any montages or dance numbers.

3. Don’t just predict winners.
Make up other categories to place wagers on that will keep you engaged throughout the evening. Predict how many times producers will cut to Jack Nicholson for a reaction shot. Which presenter will be the first to stumble over the words on the teleprompter? How many winners will be shooed off by the orchestra? Have each attendee come up with a category and play until everyone is a winner.

Please post any other ideas and suggestions in the comments section.
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